Adjustable cushion form



Aug. 2K7, 1940. A. D. HUMAN ADJUSTABLE CUSHION FORM Filed June 2, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheel:v 1

kaazzaf zaA/Za HUMAN Aug. 27, 1940. A. D HUMAN 2,212,739

ADJUSTABLE CUSHION FORM Filed June 2, 1938 sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 27, 1940 UNITED As-'m'r-Es PATENT- OFI-ice ADJUSTABLE CUSHION FORM Alonzo D. Human, San Bernardino, Calif.

Application June 2, 1938, Serial No. 211,380

y zo' claims. (o1. 33 176) which the cushion is to fit.

In upholstery work Whether this is made in a factory on a mass production basis or by the individual upholster'er such as is engaged in the repair trade, it is preferable to employ some type of a form or template from which the goods may be cut. Presuming -a chair is to have a cushion,

my cushion form may be adjusted to the'shape.

of the chair seat and given the proper curvatures at the sides, back and front, so that this form may be used to cut the material of the cushion. Again in making cushions for davenportsr and similar long pieces -of furniture in which several cushions are used, the cushion form or' template may be adjusted for the two end cushions and then have the intermediate cushions, the sides being adjustable to the shape desired.

An object and feature of my invention is in the template or cushion form employing a relatively rigid centering orlbody block. This forms the support for adjustable sides, front and back, which may 'be thrust outwardly diiTer-ent distances from the body block and clamped in the correct position. A further characteristic is that the main, side, back and front panels are to a certain extent flexible in order to provide for a curvature at the edge of the cushion. These may be arranged to form convex curves outwardly or concave Yor a reverse convex and concave curvature. My invention also contemplates corner extensio-n strips operating `in conjunction with the panelsv so that these extension strips may be thrust outwardly from their individual panels to lmeet at a corner, depending upon the variation and size and shape Vof the cushion to be made. Further details of my invention relate to the mannerI of lsldably mounting the extension panels and in forming the end or connecting strips at the corners. A lfurther feature lof my inve-ntion relates to forming the panels with achannel-like guide and in having the extension strips slidably mounted in such guide of the panels.

Considered ininore detail a characteristic and feature of my invention consists of a flat preferably rectangular body block provided with a series of front to rear guide tubes or grooves and transverse guide tubes or grooves. Slidably mounted on ythe tubes or the grooves there are adjusting rods, these rods 'extend outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of the'body and havethe contour panels attached'thereto in a loose mannenfthis being preferably by an upturned Afinger-like structure on the outer end' ofeach rod so that when the rods are thrust inwardly the contour panels are positioned in. close contiguityvto the sides of the body block. Clamping bolts with clamps extendvertically through the -body block and are providedwith a detent or keeper end to engage each of the extension rods and clamp or lock the-se in their adjusted position With the contour panels liexedto the proper vshape ace cording to the particular cushion to be made'. In

order to-'permit this flexing of the contour panels f there is preferably a loose connection between the lingers of the rods andthe backA of the panels. A further characteristicy of my invention is that 'the guide structure ofthe panels is made with outward folds having a reversebend at the upper and lower edges of the panels. These folded edges are notched to facilitate flexing. The extension strips are then slidably'mounted in the channel structures. A' 'further' detail featureV includes locking corner pieces which have an interlocking connection with tWo adjacent extension strips and thus retain these 'strips at the corners of the cushion. l y j In view of the'fact that the cushion form having the characteristics of adjustability to develop the outline for cushions of chairs, davenports and the like, it is equally obvious that the adjustable form'when set for a' particular cushion may be used as a guide structure in upholstering a chair suchras the inside back and inside arms of the chair.A It may also be used on the inside arms and inside back of a davenport or similar long piece of furniture. An advantage of using my form'for this purpose is that it is considerably greaterrin thickness, that is, vertical heighth than a cut template and hence more nearly rep-v resents the thickness ,of the upholstery within which the cushion is to t. y

My invention is villustrated in connection with the accompanying drawings', in which:

Fig. 1 is aA plan in the direction of the'arrow l,v of Fig, 2, however with the side panels and ex-f tension strips extended.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l in the direction of the arrows show ing the sideI panels in the collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is aside elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. l showing a portion of the iexible side panel and the telescopic extension s rip.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of Fig. 1 showing the retaining pocket in the back of a panel to receive the adjusting lingers of the adjusting rods.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. l showing the spring latching lever clip for operating the locking bolts to engage the adjusting rods.

Fig. 6 is an elevation showing a form of lever clip operating the locking bolts.

Fig. 7 is a plan of another` form of latch for the locking bolts taken in the direction of the arrow 'I of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the latch of Fig, '7

Fig. 9 is a plan of the pocket taken in the direction of the arrow 9 of Fig. 4.

Referring first to the main details of Figs. l through 5, I employ a body block II. This is illustrated as made in the main of a wood board vor the equivalent, rectangular as to plan having a front edge I2, a rear edge I3 and two side edges I4 and I5. On the bottom of the board there are a series of transverse deep grooves I6 extending from side to sid-e, that is, between the sides I4 and I5 and a series of front to rear shallow grooves` I'I and I8. These grooves are slightly offset one'from the other' depending of course on the size of the block, that is, the distance between the front and rear edges I2 and I3 and likewise if necessary the grooves I6 may be offset laterally where it is necessary to have long extension rods hereunder described. Fitted in each of the grooves there is a guide tube I9, note particularly Fig. 5, held in place by staples or the like at the top of the respective groove and each tube to form a guide for an extensionrodhas one or more cut-outs or openings 20 for the locking purpose hereunder detailed.

Slidably mounted in each of the tubes are a series -of extension rods, such rods being designated by the assembly numeral 25 and the rods extending laterally are designated by the numerals ZBand 21, referring to those which extend beyond the sides I4 and I5. The rods extending beyond the front edge I2 are designated 28 and those extending beyond the rear edge I3 by the numeral 29. Each of these rods preferably has a serrated lower edge 3B, note Fig. 5, for the purpose of obtaining an accurate locking.

The locking arrangement designated as the locking assembly 35 includes vertical perforations 35 in the body block. Each perforation has a large recess 3l extending upwardly from the bottom of the block, note Fig. 6. For each rod there is at least one bolt 38 extending downwardly through the perforation 36. The bolt has a lateral detent or keeper end 39, this being shown as formed with longitudinal teeth or serrations 49 to engage the serrations 30 on the rods. The upper part of the bolt is provided with screw threads 4I on which is threaded a lower nut 42, this being preferably arched or domed on its lower surface indicated 43. Also there is a lock nut 44.

With this 4construction I employ a spring latching clip designated 50 in the details shown in Fig. 5. Such clip has a strap 5I with an upturned nger grip end 52, a portion in the strap is formed with an S or reverse curve 53, this having a slot 54. The upper end of the S curved portion hasa horizontal end strip 55 engaging the dome surface 43 of the nut 42. The bolt thus extends downwardly `through the slot 54 in the S shaped section of the strap-like clip. When this clip is in the position shown in Fig. 5, the bolt is pressed upwardly due to the spring pressure of the S shaped portion of the clip and thus the keeper 39 is brought into locking engagement with the serrations 30 of an extension rod. When it is desired to loosen the locking grip the clip may be tilted to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5.

The contour panels designated by the assembly numeral 6I] include a front panel 6|, rear panel 32 and two side panels 63 and 64. Each of these panels is made of sheet metal having a vertical web 66, reverse bends or folds 6l and 68 at the bottom and top and upwardly and downwardly turned rims 69 and 15. 'Ihese rims have spaced notches 'II shown as V shaped. By this construction there are thus formed channel guides on the outside of the web of each contour panel and in each guide channel designated by the assembly numeral l2, there are two extension strips I3. Each strip is preferably formed of sheet metal of a flexible nature and theyare inserted from opposite ends of the channel guides. Each strip has a reverse end hook 'I4 outwardly bent so that the hooks of adjacent corner extension strips may touch or be in close proximity. They are then held in place by a locking corner piece 'I5 (note Fig. l). Each corner piece has a vertical web I'6 with two inturned hook-like edges ll engaging the hooks 14 of the extension strips. These locking corner pieces are inserted vertically and may be removed by the same motion.

A pocket engagement of the extension rods and the contour panels is constructed somewhat asfollows, note particularly Figsl 1, 2 and 4. On the back of each panel, that is, attached to the web 69, there are a series of vertical tubular pockets 8 I. These are formed by preferably metal strips 82 secured at their vertical edges to the back of the web. They may be somewhat rectangular or curved to form vertical spaces 83. It; is through these spaces that the finger end 84 of each of the extension rods extend vertically.

Some or" these pockets are made larger than the others considered lengthwise of the contour panels to allow for a iiexing movement as hereunder detailed and in such pockets there is formed a horizontal slot 85 through which may be extended the locking horizontally bent end 86 of the upwardly extending; ngers. In making the assembly the nger with the bent locking end is inserted upwardly through the bottom of a pocket, the end 88 being parallel to the web of a contour panel, then the rod with the iinger 84 is turned at right angles so that the locking end 86 extends inwardly substantially at right angles to the contour panel. The extension rod may then be tted in the guide tube or groove of the body block.

As above mentioned the pockets engaging the ngers 84 of the extension rods are made of different sizes, note a small sized pocket 90 and 9I is at the center of the front and rear panels 6I and 62 as this forms a center of flexing and on each side the pockets 92 and 93 are elongated to permit a slight movement of the lingers in the pockets. In the side panels 63 and 64 there are small pockets 94 and 95, these being preferably oiset one from the other and large pockets 95. There should always be a large pocket adjacent the end of each panel. It is to be understood however that the rods are to a certain extent ilexible to allow bending so that the contour panels-may be properly flexed. If desired a coverplate |00 of metal may be secured to the bottom of the body block and in this the guide grooves and the guide tubes for the extension rods.

In the manner of using my invention as above described, in the normal operation the contour panels with the extensionfrods are pressed inwardly so that they are in close'proximityto the edges of the body block as shown in Fig. 2. At this time also the extension strips 1.3 are thrust inwardly in their guide channels formed on the ,contour panels, the locking corner pieces "l5 are preferably in place connecting adjacent extension strips. To t the `device for instance to a 4chair or a construction for which a cushion is to be made, the corner pieces 75 are preferably removed, the front, side and rear contour panels are pulled away from the block, the spring clips 5i) having been loosened. This pulls the extension rods outwardly from their guide 4grooves or tubes, the `panels are flexed together the de-r sired contour of the sides, front and back of the cushion. Usually the side panels are symmetrical as to the body block but not necessarily so. The extension rods are then preferably locked using the locking clip 5I) voperating on the locking bolt 3B causing its keeper 39 to engage the underside of each extension rod. The extension strips 'i3 are then pulled outwardly and are flexed or pulled out straight according to the vshape of the corners of the cushion to be made and when -in proper position the corner locking .elements 15 are interlocked with the locking ends 'I4 of each extension strip, thus causing the contourpanels with the extension vstrips together with the locking corners to form an outline of the cushion v for which the material is to be cut. It is to be noted that the whole operation-is carried out with the device tted or used in connection with an article of furniture such as a chair, davenport or the like. As above mentioned the small 'pockets such as 90 and 9| retain the portion of the contour panels towhich they ae connected substantially in alignmentl with the guide tubes lor the various guide grooves of the block but the larger pockets indicated for instance at 92 permit a certain looseness so that the contour panels may be readily flexed withoutbending the extension rods, however, when these rods are pulled outwardly from the body aconsiderable distance they will flex to a' limited extent. The ready iiexing of the contour paneIsis-obtained by providing the notches such' Ias 1|. These cut away a suiiicient amount of the upwardly and down-turned flanges or rims such as 79 so that the main flexing is in the web 66`and the upper and lower edge portions of the guide channels for the extension strips 'may' follow the contour of the webs of eachcontour panel. As above mentioned the contour panels may be parallel to the side edges of the body block. They may have a convex curve considering the outer contour ofthe cushion. They can be bent to the concave curve or a reversejcurve 'including both concave and convex portions. Thus the extension panels may be shaped or flexed to include many shapes for the edge of av cushion to vbe made from material cutwith the aid of my template or cushion form.

In Fig. 6 I illustrate a, modification of the locking bolt and clip assembly. In this case the bolt with the keeper end is the same as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this case however the lowerinut |05 is preferably fiat and is engaged by .a swivel plate or disc |06 having diametrically opposite nstub shafts |01. v'Ihelocking-clip I I0 has a iiat 4.strip an upturned finger-grip end ||2`and two vspacedl ears |13. These ears are provided with a perforation journal for the stub shaft 18. The ears have a rounded edge ||4 facili- 5 tating tilting upwardly. The locking bolt 38 iS in its raised or'locking position when the clip 410 is inthe position shown in fully lines in Fig. 16 and is loosened when this clip is tilted upwardly as shown in dotted lines. It will be -understood that a `number of other types of clips Ycan be used to locky and tighten the locking bolts inrelation Ito the extension strips. For convenience-of .handling the ldevice I Amay have one or 4more handles H5 secured to the top ofthe body 15 .block Y f In Ffigs..-7 and 8 I illustrate another type of flatch. This employs a vwedging disk |20, this having prongs to engage in the wood block. Such vdisk has opposite raised or cam surfaces |2| with -gg peripheral top `surfaces l|22 between the ends of the raised or cam sections. A lever bar |23 has :aperfora-tion through which extends thepbolt 38, such .bolts having nuts and if desiredlock nuts vengaging the upper surface of the lever bar. This .lever baris 'preferably rounded on .the r.lower edge. 'Therefore when occupying the position xshown in Fig. 7 withxthe lever bar resting on the depressed surface |22, the locking bolt is in its lowered position with the keeper end 39 loosened fromV theV extension` rod but when turned into the dotted line position of Fig. 7 with the .lever-bar raised by fthe cams |.2|, the keeper is brought into locking relation with the extension Various changes maybe made in the details of V.the construction without departing from the spirit .-or scope of the invention as ipended claims. YPIc'laimr.' w

. l. In a device yas described the combination of `a substantial body block having opposite sides, a vfront anda'rear edge, rectilineal vguide structures in theblock, an extension rod slidably mounted in each guide structure to have a :g5 straight line extending motion in relation to the sides, `front orrear edges,` a contour panel for defined by the apeach of the edges, each panel having a slightly looseconnection to two Aor more extension rods, each panel being flexible considered from end 5@ to end for bending in concave or convex curvatures to `conform to the sides, front and rear of a cushion or the like, each panel being resilientto regain its original shape when said rods are retracted 2. In a device as described and claimed in claim "1, va locking means for the extension rods including a bolt'for each rod adjustable at substantially right angles to the rod and having a keeper to engage the rodand a latching clip to operate the bolt.

3.- In a device as described and claimed in claim l, each contour panel including a vertical web with. up and-downturned rims at thelower and upper edge respectively, said rims facing outwardly vand forming with the web a guide channel, the said rims having cut-out portions to faxcilitate flexing of the panel, a pair of extension .imA

or more` of transverse slot, an extension rod having an uprturned finger tting in the pocket and a bent 'end toextend through the said slot and thereby Iilike' guide, la pair of extension strips slidably fmounted in said guide, each strip at its end hav- -ing a hook, the locking cornerv piece having a pair ofV complementary hooks rto engage the hooks of two yadjacent extension strips and deiine a cushion corner, the extension strips befing flexible considered longitudinally.

5. In a device as described and claimed in claim 1, the connection between the rods and the vcontour panels including a pocket structure at right angles to` the length of the panel, one

' the' pockets for each panel having a attach the panel to the rod whereby the block with the panels and rods may be inverted.

V6. In a device as described, the combination Iof a substantial body block having an edge, a guide means therein, three or more extension Urods each slidably mounted in a guide means, a contour panel, a somewhat loose connection between the outer end of each rod and the back of the panel', the panel having a channel-like guide with one or more extension strips mount- 'ed therein for extending beyond the ends of the panel, the panel and the guide thereof having a construction and characteristics for flexing from end'to end whereby the connections of the extension rods to the panel form points of flex- `=ing and for retaining the panel in its flexed position, the extension strip or strips likewise being flexible and adapted to continue the curve of the yend portion of the panel.

'7. In a device as described, a contour panel "having a vertical web with upper and lower rims -tu'rned towardseach other and forming a guide intersect the location of a portion of the rod, a locking bolt vertically movable in the perforation and having a keeper at the bottom to engage the rod, a latching clip having a strap portion with a finger grip end, a slotted portion having an S shaped curvature, the bolt extending through said slot and a'nut on the bolt engaged by 'the upper portion of the S shaped end part of the latching clip, the said clip being adapted to tilt relative to the bolt and to the upper survface of said block.

9. In a device as described, a substantial body block having a guide tube therein with an open- -ing in one side, an'extension rod slidably mounted Sin the tube and having a contour panel secured to the outer end of a rod, the block having a perforation, a locking bolt slidably mounted in said perforation, said bolt having a keeper end ftting inthe opening of the tube and engaging the rod, a nut fon the bolt positioned above the :upper surface of the body block and a latching clip having a pivotal mounting in 'reference to the bolt, the nut and the body block to elevate the bolt to engage the detent with the rod.

10. In a device as described, the combination of'avbody block having an edge, one or more extension rods slidably mounted in the body block, each rod having an up-turned iinger and at least one'of the rods having an end on the nger bent in a plane parallel to the rod, a contour panel having a vertical `pocket formed on its inner side and having a transverse slot, the pocket being adapted to engage the finger of the rod and vthe slot to form an opening for the projection of the bent end of the ringer whereby the body block with the contour panels may be inverted, the bent -1 end of thenger securing the panel to the rod.

11. In a device as described, a body Structure, a plurality of contour panels adjustably mounted thereon whereby the panels may be positioned to deiine the outline of a cushion or the like and means interconnecting the body structure and panels to retain the panels in their adjusted position, each contour panel having an extension strip slidably -mounted thereon, the extension strip of the panels on two contiguous sides of the body block being extensible to meet at a corner to define the corner of a cushion.v

12. In a device as described, a substantial body block having at least three distinct sides and a contour panel adjacent and on the outside of each of the sides, slidable connecting rods between each panel and the block and pivotally connected to each panel for positioning the panel contiguous to or remote from its adjacent side, each panel being resilient and being flexible from end to end whereby such panels may be iiexed to concave or convex curvesconsidered longitudinally of a side and such curves being between the pivotal connection of 'adjacent rods, the panels regaining their original shape on retraction of the rods, each panel having an extension strip slidable longitudinally beyond its end, such extension strip being exible and curving approximately to the curve adjacent the end of the panel.

13. In a device as described, the combination of a substantial body block having at least three sides, a resilient and iiexible contour panel for each side,a plurality of rods slidably adjastable in the body block and each having a pivotal connection' to a panel whereby the panels may be positionedeach contiguous toits adjacent side or remote therefromon extension of the rods, extension strips slidably mounted on two or more of the panels whereby such strips may be extendedbeyond the panels to bring the ends of strips on adjacent panels in close contiguity.

14.Ina device as described and claimed in claim 13,v means to interconnect the adjacent ends of the extension strips.

15. 4In a device as described and claimed in claim 13, the extension strips being flexible whereby the panels may be flexed to form convex or concave curves considered longitudinally and the extensions form a continuation of the portion of the curve adjacent the end of each panel.

16. Ina device as described, the combination of a substantial body block having sides and ends, resilient contour panels, means interconnecting the body blocks and panels forming a sliding mounting for each contour panel in relation to a side or end of the body block, each contour panel being exible in concave or convex curves considered longitudinally of each panel, each contour panelhaving a guide structure, an extension strip slidably mounted therein and ex- .tensiblefbeyond the end of its panel, an attachable' and detachable corner locking means engaging adjacent extension strips of the panels on sadjacentlidesuof. the bodyfblock whereby the contour panels may conform to the sides and ends of a cushion and the extension strips and 17. In a device as described, the combinationof a substantial body block having opposite sides, a front and a rear edge, extension rods slidably mounted in the block and extensible outwardly from each of the sides, the front and the rear edge, a contour panel having an attachment to the cuter portions of the extension rods for each of the sides, front and rear of the body block, each contour panel having a construction and characteristic of resilient exibility considered from end to end for bending in concave and convex curvatures between the attachments to the rods to conform to the sides, front and rear of a cushion or the like, each contourk panel having a channel-like guide structure formed on its outer face, a pair of extension strips in each guide channel, said strips being flexible and extensible to define the corners of a cushion and means to lock the ends of the extension strips contiguous to each corner of the body block.

18. In a device as described, a body structure, a plurality of contour panels adjustably mounted thereon whereby the panels may be positioned to define the outline of a cushion or the like, means interconnecting the body structure and the panels to retain the panels in their adjusted position, each contour panel having the characteristic of being flexible and resilient to regain its original shape and bendable to form a concave or convex curve or both considered longitudinally, eachv panel having an extension strip slidably mountedto extend beyond its ends, the extension strips being resilient and flexible whereby an extension strip when extended has approximately thel curvature of the contiguous end of its panel.

19. In a device as described, a body structure, a plurality of contour panels each of flexible and resilient material for flexing to concave and convex curves and to regain their original shape,

adjusting means interconnecting the panels and the body structure whereby the panels may be `contracted towards the body structure for compactness and extended therebeyond to denne the outline of a cushion or the like, clamping devices on thev body structure for the connecting means to the panels, the curvaturev of contiguous panels adjacent their ends being adapted to indicate a continuing line of the edge of the cushion or the like beyond the ends of the panel.

2Q. In a device as described, a body structure, a plurality of contour panels each of exible and resilient material for flexing to concavev and convex curves and to regain their original-shape, adjusting means interconnecting the panels and the body structure whereby the panels may be contracted towards the body structure for compactness and extending therebeyond to denne the outline of a cushion or the like, clamping devices on the body structure for the connecting means to the panels, the curvature of contiguous panels adjacent their ends being adapted to indicate a l continuing line of the edge of the cushion or the like beyond the ends of the panel, extension stripsslidably mounted on the panels whereby the strips may be extended beyond the end of each panel and adjacent extension strips conform to the edge portion of a cushion or the like.

' ALONZO D. HUMAN. 

